--- title: 'Flight Test Intern - Summer 2027 at Skydio' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/flight-test-intern-summer-2027-skydio-san-mateo-california-9js5hytbcpa1' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-10' --- # Flight Test Intern - Summer 2027 at Skydio - **Company:** [Skydio](https://feeny.ai/companies/skydio) - **Location:** San Mateo California, United States - **Employment:** internship - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/skydio/3eb06d6e-b6f0-4814-a80a-f1c43075873b ## Job description Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from [utility inspectors](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/energy-and-utilities) to [first responders](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/public-safety), [soldiers in battlefield scenarios](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/national-security/tactical-isr), and [beyond](https://www.skydio.com/solutions). About the role: Skydio is looking for an enthusiastic Flight Test Intern to help validate and advance the next generation of Skydio products. As a leader in developing cutting-edge aerial platforms and the software that powers them, Skydio offers an exciting environment for hands-on work with all our products. In this role, you will collaborate closely with various teams across the organization, providing support across multiple projects on the flight test team. This is a unique opportunity to play an essential role in shaping Skydio’s innovative products. How you’ll make an impact: - Conduct smoke and regression tests to ensure system reliability and confidence - Perform daily testing on the master branch to maintain software quality - Enhance the end-to-end Skydio Dock experience by working closely with engineers to identify and resolve key issues - Support the validation of new software features for customer-facing applications - Identify and communicate product limitations early in the development cycle to improve performance and market fit - Verify software updates to maintain a stable and reliable flying platform - Collect flight data to support competitive benchmarking efforts - Execute wireless testing on all new software and hardware platforms What makes you a good fit: - Software/hardware testing background - Part 107 Certification - Consider yourself a jack of all trades - Solid debugging of hardware and software systems - Enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time - Practical experience with UAS - Understanding of UAS subsystems and their real world performance ## Basic mechanical and electrical system integration knowledge - Experience operating Linux based systems - Demonstrated passion for things that fly (bonus points for sUAS Pilot's license) - Thorough communication and documentation skills - Interest in spending time outdoors - Experience testing web based applications - Wireless testing experience preferred Compensation Range: The hourly rate for this position is $41/hr for Undergrad and $47/hr for Graduate students* Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. *For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location. ## #LI-ZD1 At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws. For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ ## About Skydio ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Skydio builds autonomous drones and platforms for public safety, critical infrastructure inspection, and national security, enabling safer, smarter, and faster data collection. - **Entity Type**: Private – Series E ($230M raised) - **Headquarters**: San Mateo, California, United States (manufacturing hub in Hayward, CA; satellite offices in Boston, Japan, and India) - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founders**: Adam Bry (CEO) and Abe Bachrach (CTO) – both MIT graduates and co-founders of Google’s Project Wing ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Drone manufacturing, autonomous flight software, public safety / first responder technology, infrastructure inspection, defense / national security - **Target customers**: B2G (government/public safety), B2B (energy, utilities, construction, surveying), and defense organizations - **Mission statement**: “To make the world more productive, creative, and safe with autonomous flight” ## Products & Services - **[Skydio X10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Flagship autonomous drone with best-in-class sensors, advanced AI, and cloud integration – designed for outdoor inspection, DFR, and site security. - **[Skydio R10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Indoor-capable, compact drone for tight quarters (e.g., building interiors) with onboard lighting and communications. - **[Skydio Dock for X10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Remote docking station enabling autonomous launch, landing, and charging – supports unattended mission execution. - **[Skydio Cloud & Software Platform](https://www.skydio.com/)**: End-to-end software for mission planning, live streaming, data processing, and fleet management (includes Drone as First Responder solutions, asset inspection, and mapping). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Funding**: $230 million raised in a Series E round (led by Linse Capital, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Next47, IVP, DoCoMo, Nvidia, UP.Partners; angel investors include Brendan Iribe, Naval Ravikant, Padma Warrior, Matt Bellamy, Magic Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant). Valuation not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Over 60,000 drones delivered; “9 figures of annual revenue” (i.e., $100M+) with rapid growth [skydio.com/careers](https://www.skydio.com/careers). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, IVP, DoCoMo, UP.Partners. - **Growth Signals**: Company reports rapid revenue growth; expanding into national security contracts; manufacturing hub in Hayward; global presence with offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Zurich. ## Competitive Advantages - **Purely U.S. based** – designed, assembled, and supported in the USA, meeting strict national security and supply chain standards. - **Deep AI autonomy** – world-leading computer vision and autonomous flight technology, built by a team that pioneered the field at MIT and Google X. - **Full-stack platform** – drones, docks, cloud software, and mission-specific integrations create a locked-in ecosystem that’s hard to replicate. - **Mission-critical trust** – deployed by police departments, defense agencies, and utilities for life-saving and infrastructure-protecting missions. ## Strategic Focus - **Scaling drone-as-a-first-responder (DFR)** programs across public safety agencies. - **Expanding defense & national security** verticals (survivable sUAS, battlefield situational awareness). - **Deepening enterprise inspection & mapping** offerings for energy, telecom, and civil infrastructure. - **International growth** – offices in Japan, India, Singapore, Switzerland, and Finland. ## Why Work Here - **Purpose-driven impact** – work on tech that “makes our world safer and more efficient” (autonomous drones for first responders, search & rescue, battlefield awareness). - **Cutting-edge engineering** – stack spans AI/robotics, computer vision, cloud, mobile, aerodynamics, sensors, and hardware; described as “the Mount Everest of technology.” - **Collaborative culture** – “intense but rewarding”; teams include world-class engineers, special forces operators, and industry experts. - **Hybrid/office** – headquarters in San Mateo (Bay Area) with manufacturing in Hayward; satellite offices in Boston, Japan, and India. Many engineering roles are on-site or hybrid, but some positions list remote (US) availability. - **Notable perks** – no explicit perks listed, but culture emphasizes real-world impact, cross-functional work, and autonomy to solve hard problems. ## Sources 1. [skydio.com](https://www.skydio.com/) – Main site (products, mission, drone capabilities) 2. [skydio.com/about](https://www.skydio.com/about) – Founders, leadership, and company history 3. [skydio.com/careers](https://www.skydio.com/careers) – Company stats (60k drones, 9-figure revenue, mission, culture, office locations) 4. [linkedin.com/company/skydio](https://www.linkedin.com/company/skydio) – Company description 5. [cbinsights.com/company/skydio/financials](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/skydio/financials) – Funding round details (Series E, $230M) ## Other roles at Skydio - [Flight Test Operator - Data Collection Fixed Term](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-test-operator-data-collection-fixed-term-skydio-san-mateo-california-k39mb134zmn9) — San Mateo California, United States - [Senior RF Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-rf-design-engineer-skydio-san-mateo-california-vvreqa2jdv4e) — San Mateo California, United States - [Test Engineering Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/test-engineering-technician-skydio-san-mateo-california-168k5rrxmgsh) — San Mateo California, United States - [Field Support Representative - Colorado](https://feeny.ai/job/field-support-representative-colorado-skydio-united-states-gmwskmw9gthz) — United States - [EHS Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/ehs-specialist-skydio-san-mateo-california-gzxemmnq1sm4) — San Mateo California, United States - [Systems Integration and Test Engineer (Senior to Staff Level)](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-integration-and-test-engineer-senior-to-staff-level-skydio-san-mateo-05357sqhznad) — San Mateo California, United States - [Systems Integration and Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-integration-and-test-engineer-skydio-san-mateo-california-6jy1mpatrsrm) — San Mateo California, United States - [Product Design Engineer Intern - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/product-design-engineer-intern-summer-2027-skydio-san-mateo-california-4rrh55j2aq90) — San Mateo California, United States - [Autonomy Engineer Intern, Computer Vision / Deep Learning, Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-intern-computer-vision-deep-learning-summer-2027-skydio-san-asjd2k15p11a) — San Mateo California, United States - [PhD Autonomy Engineer Intern - Computer Vision / Deep Learning Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/phd-autonomy-engineer-intern-computer-vision-deep-learning-summer-2027-skydio-0p7jg2na5krw) — Zurich, Switzerland